Tama County Health Data
Tama County, Iowa
Health Score
68/100
Average
Life Expectancy
76.7 yr
Uninsured Rate
6.5%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
76.7 yr
State avg 77.7 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
6.5%
State avg 5.7%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
18
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
48
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Tama County, Iowa
Tama County faces significant health challenges
At 76.7 years, Tama County residents live 2.2 years less than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With 17.9% reporting poor or fair health—the highest rate among the eight counties—Tama faces notable population health challenges.
Below-average health outcomes statewide
Tama County's 76.7-year life expectancy falls 1.0 year below Iowa's 77.7-year average, placing it in the lower tier of state health rankings. The 17.9% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds Iowa's typical performance.
Lowest provider access in the region
Tama County's 76.7-year life expectancy is the second-lowest in the region, exceeding only Taylor County (76.0 years). With just 18 primary care providers and 48 mental health providers per 100K—far below neighbors like Story County and Scott County—provider access is severely limited.
Critical shortage of healthcare providers
Tama County has the region's most severe provider shortage: only 18 primary care physicians per 100,000 residents—nearly one-fourth the regional average. At 6.5% uninsured and 48 mental health providers per 100K, residents face both coverage gaps and limited access to behavioral health care.
Critical: check your insurance coverage
Tama County's 6.5% uninsured rate is the highest in the eight-county region, and limited provider access makes coverage especially vital. Visit Healthcare.gov immediately or call 1-800-318-2596 to secure Medicaid or marketplace insurance and ensure access to the few available providers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Data Sources
Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.